Lung Transplant Team

At the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center, our multidisciplinary team of specialists is solely dedicated to lung transplantation, ensuring that you receive the best care possible. Each of our specialists plays a unique role in managing your health through this life-altering process.

Meet Our Lung Transplant Care Team

Your team of health providers includes:

• Pulmonologists: These doctors specialize in lung disease and other lung conditions that lead to transplantation. Pulmonologists help manage your condition before and after lung transplant surgery.

	Jennifer M Alexander-Brett, MD, PHD
	Amit Bery, MD
	Derek Byers, MD, PhD
	Marlene Cano, MD
	Rodrigo Vazquez Guillamet, MD
	Laura Halverson, MD
	Hrishikesh Kulkarni, MD
	Laneshia Tague, MD
	Chad A Witt, MD
	Roger D Yusen, MD, MPH

• Transplant surgeons: These specialists have advanced training in lung transplantation and perform your surgery. Read more about lung transplant surgery.

	Ruben G Nava Bahena, MD
	Whitney Brandt, MD
	Benjamin D Kozower, MD
	Daniel Kreisel, MDPHD
	Bryan F Meyers, MD
	G. Alexander Patterson, MD
	Varun Puri, MD

• Transplant anesthesiologists: Our anesthesiologists are dedicated to caring for transplant patients, ensuring they are unconscious and pain-free during surgery.
• Transplant nurse coordinators: These coordinators are integral to your overall care. They are responsible for:
  • Helping to manage lung disease
  • Providing education about the transplant process
  • Coordinating evaluation testing
  • Placing you on the wait list
  • Updating the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) with information that may reduce your waiting time
  • Monitoring your health status throughout the transplant process
  • Arranging follow-up care We assign these nurses to you the minute you walk in the door, and they guide you through the entire process. They are available 24 hours a day for any urgent needs that may arise. All our nurses are certified clinical transplant coordinators.
• Transplant pharmacists: These pharmacists have extensive experience with the medications needed to prevent organ rejection. They monitor the type and amount of medications you need while you are in the hospital and at clinic visits. They can explain your medication details, including potential side effects and how your transplant medications may interact with other drugs.
• Dietitians: Our dietitians manage your nutrition throughout the transplant process. They can help you with any special dietary needs to manage coexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. They can also create an eating plan to boost your immune system and support your overall health after transplant.
• Physical therapists: These therapists help you build strength and endurance with a tailored exercise program so you are in the best condition possible for surgery. They also assist you with getting up and out of the hospital bed after surgery.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation specialists: While you’re on the waiting list, our rehabilitation specialists help with breathing exercises to increase the function of your lungs. After surgery, they work to build endurance with your new lungs.
• Referring doctors: These physicians are a critical part of the transplant team. You need to maintain a relationship with your primary care physician and your referring pulmonologist because they are a vital part of your routine care after transplant. Our transplant specialists work with these doctors to provide ongoing care for you after surgery.
• Social workers and psychologists: These specially trained care team members serve you and your loved ones in a variety of ways:
  • One-on-one counseling for emotional challenges
  • Help with logistics, including lodging and transportation, finances, and legal issues
• Financial coordinators: Our coordinators are experienced in navigating the financial aspects of care before, during and after transplant. They can also help you understand insurance coverage and reimbursement issues.

Contact Us

For more information on the lung transplant program or to schedule an evaluation at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 855.684.1336.